Value Stream Mapping

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A value stream map is an analytical tool for material and information flow. Impact Washington’s value stream mapping training equips manufacturers with the skills and tools necessary to study the business and manufacturing processes, develop measurable targets, and select priority areas for improvement.

Value stream analysis or mapping requires five days and a cross-functional management and supervisor team of 7-10 people. They should be totally devoted to the team for the whole 40-hour duration of the VSM workshop.

Value stream mapping training will cover the following areas:

People travel

Information travel

Workplace Organization (5S, Visual Controls, POUS)

Changeover time

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

Work-In-Process (WIP) Inventory

Lot size

Just-In-Time

Pull Systems and Kanban

Flow

Throughput time

Value-Added vs. Non Value-Added Time

Standard Work

The mapping process for each division will consist of two stages. The first stage is to identify the current state, including capabilities, constraints and material flow. Stage two consists of identifying resources, efforts and strategies to move from the current state to an improved future state.

Current State VSM

Current state mapping identifies all activities (both value-added and non value-added) currently required to transform raw materials into finished goods. In most cases, it relies on a Push System, based on scheduling and forecasts. Current State VSM:

Analyzes current situation

Helps visualize flow

Shows linkage between material flow and information flow

Identifies “waste” or non value-added activities

Forms the basis of a future implementation plan (Future State VSM)

In value stream mapping, the existing production process is observed and mapped. The current state VSM shows graphically how long it currently takes something to get completed using existing techniques on the day that the observation took place. Everything contributing to the overall time in the process is classified as either value-added or non value-added time.

After the development of the current state VSM, decisions on how to proceed with process improvements are based on the value derived from achieving the future state.

Future State VSM

Future state VSM describes how the facility should operate in order to reduce or eliminate the identified waste, and create flow based on a Pull System. Pull System is a method of controlling the flow of resources by replacing only what has been consumed by customers or a downstream process (demand).

Impact Washington

Impact Washington (formerly Washington Manufacturing Services) is a non-profit organization that strengthens Washington manufacturers to make them more globally competitive. With our manufacturing experts and our network of industry resources, we provide the change that makes the difference between surviving and thriving.